Mentors and Emancipated Mentees

June 30 Lectionary

Have you ever found yourself in the perfect relationship for spiritual growth?

In that relationship, as it went along, it seemed that you were learning, and growing in confidence as well as grace because the other person just always seemed to have their own special. direct connection to the Holy, which spilled out on anyone that came within range of them.

Or

Did you ever have someone that always seemed to be able to provide the just the right perspective, was always willing to speak with clarity about how they perceived God was working within the situation at hand?

That special someone also had the knack of self-preservation. When things were getting incredibly difficult s/he may have retreated for a time to regroup but in the end was capable of returning into the thick of ministry and continue faithfully serving out the call that God placed on the person.

Maybe that person was the perfect fit because, in spite of your own doubt, or reluctance, s/he drew out of you the very best you could become. His/her ministry challenged you to strive to match their high water mark. Their courage, and example encouraged you.

What would you do if that same perfect mentor suddenly was no longer available to you?

How would you move forward ?

Would you start looking for someone else to fill the spot of mentor in your life or would you resolve that you now were drawn closer to the Divine, prepared to become mentor to another?

Here's the closing narrative in the life of Elijah today and the transfer of power to his successor, Elisha from Scripture  

When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, "Stay here; for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel." But Elisha said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel.
Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here; for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan." But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the company of prophets also went, and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground.
When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you." Elisha said, "Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit." He responded, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it will be granted you; if not, it will not." As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, "Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" But when he could no longer see him, he grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.
He picked up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, saying, "Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" When he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over."  2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14

Scripture is filled with many stories repeating the themes of leadership, growth and coming of age.
Abram, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Elijah, Elisha, Jesus, the Disciples are just a few of the most popular ones that are cited.

From where I sit in life, spiritual growth is the trickiest of all growth processes for Humanity.

Where are you in the journey?

Which person(s) has God drawn you toward to bring growth into your life in the Divine Dance with the Holy Spirit?

And when that person moves out of your life, through whatever circumstance causes that transition, what will you do? 

Remember those questions.

What would you do if that same perfect mentor suddenly was no longer available to you?

How would you move forward ?

Would you start looking for someone else to fill the spot of Mentor in your life?

Or

Would you pick up the mantle of the mentor and carry on the tradition?

Elisha is the model for how to transition from mentee to mentor. At some point in each of our lives we consciously or unconsciously move from the position of being in the shadow to being the one in whose shadow others will find strength, encouragement and growth if we are called by God to take up the mantle of leadership.

Choose well.